Think you’re going to make it in the arts without getting savvy about the business of your creating? It’s time to think again!
I’m hoping if I just paste a picture of a Hemsworth brother here, you’ll all understand that getting business savvy is a really sexy process and you’ll throw down your paintbrushes, guitars and pens to join me gleefully in a frolick through the business fundamentals that are the reality of making it in the arts.
Here,
Did it work? Wrong Hemsworth? Should have gone for Johnny Depp? Jon Snow. Khalesi. Ah well read on then….
Whether you’re a writer, painter, musician, performer, gallery owner or dirty car artist (apparently it’s a real thing http://listverse.com/2014/10/29/10-of-the-most-bizarre-forms-of-modern-art/), the reality is a business hat is one of the many we have to wear to make it in the arts.
If you don’t think you need to crawl out of the sublime comfort of the creative Right brain and venture into the land of Left and logic, you may need to fully explore why that is. It could be that by dodging the business of your art you are actually holding yourself back from a truly fulfilling and thriving creative life.
It’s time to get entrepreneurial in your creative mindset and make sure you are ticking all the boxes of your business backend if you want to achieve any of the following –
✅ Reach more people with your creative work
✅ Make more money off your creativity
✅ Find time and resources to create more
✅ Quit your day job to work fulltime on your art
✅ Say farewell to scarcity and the starving artist archetype
✅ Do the art you were born to create
✅ Live your most heartfelt dream creative life
Still not convinced that its time to invest some energy in your business skills? Let’s break down some of the stories you might be peddling yourself and why you probably still will need to take the business of your art into your own hands.
1. You think the answer is a full time marketing and business manager to sell the crap out of your creative product and manage logistics while you get down to your zone of genius, doing the creating.
The problem with this strategy is full time staff are expensive so unless you are cashed up this might not be an option. Managers and agents who work purely off commission need to be confident that you will be a great return on investment and a certain level of existing success and market readiness is what will sell them on that. The good news is building a solid business framework will bring you one step closer to representation and there are already amazing affordable hacks to get started outsourcing some of those less desirable tasks right now!
2. You have been working in the arts for a while and already feel pretty business savvy but are finding that, in spite of a great website, years of experience and a cranking social media profile, you simply aren’t getting the traction you are dreaming of.
Chances are somewhere along the line you have missed some key ingredients in your business structure. Possibly your vision isn’t as clear as it could be or maybe your market is undefined or has changed since you first got started. Perhaps your website and social media aren’t engaging in a clear way that drives sales and wins fans. Taking some time to give your creative life a business inventory can tip the scales in your favour.
3. You are convinced you lack the luck, talent or right friends to make it in the elitist art world and therefore business strategy is a waste of your time and energy (keeping you stuck with art purely as a sideline hobby – when you can fit it in).
Rubbish! In this technological age, it’s easier than ever for the most unknown, untalented and unlucky creative to rise through the ranks with a little bit of elbow grease and business nous.
4. You wish you could create more, reach more people and dedicate your life to your creating but feel it is a pipe dream and unrealistic.
You can! Switching from a hobby mindset to professional artist is in your hands and step by step you can create a thriving creative life that puts your passion number 1 and shares your special something with the world.
So if you’ve come this far it probably means you’re ready to take a look at each step of your arts business fundamentals and get cracking on upping the ante on any of the areas you aren’t totally across. With some business savvy in your back pocket you really do have the ability to live your dream creative life!
Need some help getting started? This epic blog comes with a handy workbook and takes you step by step through those arts-biz essentials.
Arts Biz Made Easy – 10 steps to a thriving arts business
Arts Biz Made Easy – 10 simple steps to a thriving arts business
